Keratosis pilaris is a genetic condition which have
autosomal dominant pattern of transfer. It causes bumps on skin, usually white
or red in color. Commonest site is arm but can appear on cheeks, thighs and
buttock. Keratosis pilaris is often present in association with other dry skin
conditions such as xerosis, ichthyosis vulgaris and atopic dermatitis. Often
this condition is exaggerated during puberty and seasonal variations are also
seen. Symptoms are exaggerated during winter. It sometimes needs treatment and
usually disappears by age of 30.
Keratosis pilaris symptoms:
Keratosis pilaris symptoms is appearance of small goose bumps,
which feel like rough sandpaper, on the back of upper arm and thighs. They are
skin colored having size of a sand grain with a slightly pinkish area of
erythema around it. It is a benign condition and the appearing folliculocentric
keratotic papules are also known as chicken bumps.
Keratosis pilaris causes:
The main keratosis pilaris causes is a genetic
abnormality in DNA reaper gene which causes hyperkeratinization of skin. The keratosis pilaris pathogenasis is based
on the fact that abnormal buildup of keratin either surrounds the hair follicle
causing mild inflammatory reaction or clog the hair follicle orifice
altogether. An entrapped hair follicle might be present inside the clogged
follicle.
Keratosis pilaris epidemiology:
It is a
fairly common condition affecting 50-80% of adolescent and 40% of adult
population. Altough keratosis pilaris
can appear at any age but the symptoms often occurs during first decade of life
with female predominance. Its prognosis
is very good and is normally not associated with mortality, morbidity or any
long term health implications. The sometimes associated obesity is a cause
rather than a manifestation of keratosis
pilaris.
Keratosis pilaris diagnosia:
No specific
tests are available for keratosis
pilaris diagnosis. The diagnosis is strictly done on the basis of general
physical examination and proper medical history.
Keratosis pilaris treatment:
No single medication is effective for
keratosis pilaris treatment but keratosis pilaris herbal product can
single handedly help you get rid of all the unwanted symptoms. The multi
medication regime normally recommended includes topical exfoliants to soften
and moisturize skin and intern help to loose and remove dead skin, topical
retinoids which works by promoting cell turnover thus preventing clogging of
hair follicle and laser therapy. These treatments have disadvantages such as
skin irritation, severe dryness, redness and peeling, while laser therapy
requires repeated sessions. On the other hand keratosis pilaris herbal product will treat your problem without
any side effects as it is a natural product.
Keratosis pilaris prevention:
As it is a
genetically inherited disorder there is no specific prevention but the chances
of development can be reduced by maintaining proper skin moisturization.
